It was a case of 'anything you can do, we can do better' as the top two sides in the Kingstone Press Championship matched one another point for point in their respective games.
Round Ten gave the top two sides simple looking fixtures as Leigh Centurions hosted the Batley Bulldogs, and Bradford Bulls made the trip to the Keepmoat for the early fixture against Doncaster.
The game of the round saw third take on fourth as Sheffield and Halifax met in the late kick-off, with the prospect of a home win opening the door for Dewsbury, London and Featherstone to finish the weekend in fourth spot.
Bradford Bulls got more than a run for their money over a Doncaster side whose lowly league standing meant that on paper they should have been in for a walloping. The sides shared fifty points in a frantic first half and ninety-four in a game which delivered seventeen tries and thirteen goals. On the card for Bradford were; Uaisele (2), Gaskell (3), Ferguson (2), Henry, Clough and Shaw with eight kicks for Shaw. Doncaster's responses were through; Fox (2), Clark, Snitch, Dunn,Groat and Kelly with Scott accurate with the boot on five occasions. Despite trailing 16-34 at half-time Doncaster put in their best performance of the season to match the Bulls 22-22 in the second half for a 38-56 loss.
Leigh Centurions had an easier passage against Batley Bulldogs and they also scored fifty-six points at the Leigh Sports Village, however, Batley could only register two,four pointers in response as the home side ran out 56-8 winners. Brierley picked up a hat-trick, Higson and Pownall got two apiece, while Kay, Armstrong and Dixon all scored singles. Ridyard was accurate with eight kicks and only Ainscough and Fozzard troubled the scorers for Batley.
Dewsbury Rams and Featherstone Rovers both kept up the pressure on the top four spots with good wins on the road.
Dewsbury visited a resurgent London Broncos and had a battle royal. London had taken the lead through Hellewell before Pryce levelled things for the Rams sending the sides into the interval at 6-6. Hyde gave the visitors the lead early in the second half before Macani made it 12-12. A Hyde penalty goal on sixty-one edged the Rams ahead and a converted try from Brown on sixty-seven gave them some breathing space. A last minute try from Macani wasn't enough to deny the Rams fourth spot in the league table.
Featherstone Rovers appeared in control at Whitehaven with tries from Minns and Sykes getting them 10-0 ahead but 'Haven snatched the half-time lead thanks to tries from Gore and Brooks in a three minute spell before the break. Rovers weren't going to make the same mistakes in the second half and filled their boot with tries through; Sykes, Moore (2), Minns and Cording to seal a 36-12 win.
Hunslet Hawks also had a great afternoon on their trip to Cumbria with a hard fought 19-16 win in a game which almost got away from them. First half tries from Lee, Keinhorst and Briscoe along with a Brown goal and drop goal saw just a single try in response from the home side in the guise of a Fifita converted try. Keinhorst added his second try of the game six minutes into the second half and then Hunslet hunkered down and defended their lead, despite tries from Phillips and Doran. The Hawks did just enough and held on for their fourth win of the season.
The late kick-off was the second part of the double-header at the Keepmoat for the game of the round as Sheffield Eagles welcomed Halifax who had one eye on their third spot. It looked like no-one had told the Eagles that this was supposed to be a close game as they cantered to a 22-4 half time lead with tries from Togagae and a Worrincy hat-trick, three of which were converted by Brambini. Moore gave 'Fax a lifeline on the hooter but there looked like only one winner. Cahalane gave the visitors a glimmer of hope on sixty three but with seven minutes left Togagae scored again and on the final hooter Brambini added the Eagles sixth try of the afternoon for 36-10.
Next weeks fixtures have served up some mouthwatering encounters as second placed Bradford Bulls welcome the Sheffield Eagles to Odsal and fourth placed Dewsbury Rams play hosts to the league leaders Leigh Centurions. It could be an influential weekend in helping to decide the top four. |